Penn State softball (20-24, 6-10 Big Ten) was swept in its series against Iowa (28-16, 10-6 Big Ten) this weekend, losing three games to the Hawkeyes.

After a close loss in game one, the Nittany Lions were out-pitched and out-hit in Monday’s doubleheader, costing them the series.

Game One

The first game of the weekend was a low scoring one, with both teams combining for four total hits. Despite each team drawing a walk in the first inning, neither were able to capitalize on the opportunity.

Penn State got on the board in the second inning, starting with a double from Meagan Ricks. Michela Barbanente’s groundout advanced Ricks to third, and she scored on an RBI groundout from Madison Seidel.

Mady Volpe, the starter for the Nittany Lions, struggled with control throughout her four and a third innings pitched. She issued six walks, but didn’t allow a run until the last batter she faced, Avery Jackson, hit a double to score Devin Simon from first base. Abi Britton came in to try and stop the Hawkeyes from rallying, but immediately walked Jena Young. Iowa set up a double steal, and Jackson stole home to give her team the lead.

Penn State’s only hit for the rest of the game came in the seventh inning, where Ricks once again doubled and set up an opportunity to take the lead. The next two batters, however, did not take advantage of the opportunity, and Iowa took the first game 2-1.

Game Two

After Sunday’s game was postponed due to rain in Iowa, the Nittany Lions started off the first game of Monday’s doubleheader with a bang. Ricks led off the game with a single, and Natalie Lieto doubled to advance Ricks to third. After Haylie Brunson struck out, Brooke Klosowicz singled to score Ricks, and Lieto scored after Klosowicz stole second and forced a throwing error. Penn State went into the bottom of the first with a 2-0 lead. Iowa attempted to respond by getting two runners on base, but failed to score.

After a quiet second and third inning from both teams, Iowa made some noise in the fourth. Jackson led off the inning with a solo home run, followed by another from Hannah Lindsay. After a pitching change, Volpe was able to get a quick out before the Hawkeyes broke the tie. Young tripled, Echo Mattiello walked, and Desiree Rivera walked to load the bases. After video review, it was confirmed that Tory Bennett was hit by a pitch, scoring a run. Then, Soo-Jin Berry walked to score another run, and Talia Tretton had a sacrifice fly to secure a 5-2 lead for the Hawkeyes heading into the fifth inning.

Penn State tallied two errors in the fifth inning, allowing Iowa to score another run. However, the sixth inning is where the game got out of hand. After a single and two walks loaded the bases, Lydia Spalding hit Jaylee Ojo with a pitch to score a run, and walked both Young and Allyssa Ramos to score two runs. Rivera’s single to score Tatianna Roman ended the game on a mercy rule, with Iowa winning 10-2.

Game Three

In the second game of the doubleheader, Iowa took an early lead in the second inning off of a 3-run home run from Young.

After two innings without any baserunners, the Nittany Lions got on the board in the fifth. Barbanente singled and advanced to third after Lydia Coleman doubled. Barbanente scored on a groundout to make the score 3-1 going into the bottom of the fifth.

In the bottom of the sixth, Jiselle Hernandez loaded the bases, but got out of trouble without allowing a run. With the last chance to score in the seventh, Penn State went down in order, losing the last game by a score of 3-1.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will travel to Maryland for another Big Ten series next weekend. The three-game set begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 25, and will be streamed on BTN+.